Powerful quake kills 1 in Japan

TOKYO - A strong earthquake struck Japan early today, killing at least one person, shaking buildings and triggering two very small tsunamis that hit the coast, officials and media said.

The quake hit shortly before 10 a.m., Japan's Meteorological Agency said. It had a preliminary magnitude of 7.1. A small tsunami of 6 inches hit shore around 10:18 a.m., public broadcaster NHK said. A second tsunami of similar size hit minutes later down the coast.

TV footage showed buildings shaking for about 30 seconds.

NHK reported one woman died and 40 were injured.

After the quake, officials issued a tsunami warning for the northwestern Sea of Japan coast, and broadcasters urged people to seek higher ground. The Meteorological Agency said seismically triggered waves of up to 25 inches were possible. The warning later was lifted.